Chapter 123
Chapter 123
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 123
Chapter Title: With the God of Law
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“Personal argument round, Korea Team 3, Kang Hyun.”
Kang Hyun stood up from his seat with a bright smile and ascended the stage.
It was an outdoor podium packed with legal professionals and spectators alike. After receiving his bouquet and medal, Kang Hyun focused on smiling for the flashing shutters.
Then he hoisted high the award board boldly displaying the twenty million won prize and shook it triumphantly.
“Wow!”
“Kang Hyun! You're the best!”
Next came the announcement of the winning team.
“Winner: Korea Team 3, Kang Hyun, Woo Si-hyung, Yoon Chan-rim.”
Clap clap clap.
Another round of applause erupted.
Kang Hyun, who had stepped down earlier, now returned to the lofty podium alongside Woo Si-hyung and Yoon Chan-rim to have their medals draped around their necks.
Click! Click!
A period marking the end of their journey.
The trio had achieved the monumental feat of winning the world championship in their very first competition.
-You are all witnessing a historic moment with your own eyes.
-This is an instant that will live forever in the history of Korean jurisprudence.
Everyone praised Kang Hyun, Woo Si-hyung, and Yoon Chan-rim in unison, showering them with encouragement and cheers beyond measure.
It was the pinnacle of moments, feeling his chest swell with emotion and his heart race in real time.
Many people had come to cheer for Kang Hyun as well.
Just a quick glance revealed familiar faces from school and the neighborhood. Unusually, a few staff members he'd met while working at the prosecutor's office were there too.
His mother couldn't make it due to unavoidable work, but she'd booked a fancy dinner at the top floor of a famous hotel. He planned to leave her wide-eyed in astonishment.
After the ceremony, in a spacious chain cafe.
There was yet another surprising turn of events.
“Mr. Kang Hyun, thank you so much for accepting our invitation.”
“No, thank you. I'm the grateful one.”
The person handing Kang Hyun her business card was Jaywiz's Ha Min-young, the editor he'd met during a previous pictorial shoot—a well-known figure.
She spoke in a warm, friendly tone, a far cry from her initially cool and stiff first impression.
“The response to the last pictorial was phenomenal, it seems. This is a pretty big collaboration for us too, so we'll have our rough patches, but since you've so graciously agreed, we'll give it our all!”
“I'll do my best too. Oh, is there anything I need to be especially careful about?”
“No, you don't need to worry much. We coordinated with our side intending to stick to the same concept as before, so just think of it as proceeding similarly to the last shoot. Once we finalize things with the ad agency and the planning office staff, we'll be in touch again.”
The proposal that had come to Kang Hyun this time was for a public service ad called “Youth Support.”
The pictorial with Yoon Haneul had generated massive buzz, and with the halo effect from this competition win, he'd received tons of offers. He'd turned down most, but gladly accepted this PSA modeling gig.
“…But, Mr. Kang Hyun.”
“Yes?”
“If I may ask, I heard you declined almost everything except this PSA. Is there a particular reason for your choice?”
“Ah, yes.”
Kang Hyun replied calmly.
“I liked the theme of supporting youth. I heard that a lot of the team from the Jaywiz pictorial would be involved in producing this ad. And one more thing, if I may…”
Ha Min-young watched him pause, her curiosity plain on her face.
“Heaven. I heard Editor Ha recommended me.”
“Ah!”
Jaywiz Company published four types of magazines, and among them, the fashion staple “Trend J”—Ha Min-young had recommended Yoon Haneul for it.
Kang Hyun didn't know the full details, but he was grateful to her for enabling Yoon Haneul to pursue something she wanted. This was his way of paying it back.
Ha Min-young let out a low chuckle.
“You two must be really close.”
Kang Hyun smiled back at her words.
“Yes. We cheer each other on to succeed.”
Her eyes shifted subtly at his response, but Kang Hyun pretended not to notice and wrapped up the meeting.
As Kang Hyun stepped out after the meeting, someone was waiting for him.
“Waiting long?”
“Nope.”
Yoon Haneul flashed a grin, and Kang Hyun approached her with a shy smile.
“Midterms results out?”
“Yeah. Basic medicine… was tough.”
It was unimaginable for her to call something tough back then, but it made sense—she was now in her second year of pre-med.
The year when proper medical courses from the main program started coming down, leaving med students in a frenzy. Kang Hyun and Yoon Haneul had barely seen each other lately.
Still, for someone saying that, her face looked remarkably bright and lighthearted.
She was excited for this long-overdue outing.
Of course, Kang Hyun felt the same.
“Nice weather—wanna bike?”
“Sure.”
April.
The heart of blooming spring.
Even as it neared its end, welcoming May, nothing changed how good it felt.
Their destination: the Han River Park.
“Wow, check out this weather.”
“Told you it was perfect.”
“Yeah!”
Yoon Haneul beamed at Kang Hyun's reply.
The day was warm, with a gentle breeze. Picnic-goers, strolling friends and families, kids playing with dogs.
The nearby Han River sparkled clear and rippled leisurely; fountains were visible in the distance.
And on one side of the green lawn waited familiar faces.
Yoo Chae-eun, Yoon Chan-rim, Woo Si-hyung.
They'd arrived early, spread out for a picnic, and were waiting.
“Come on over!”
“How've you been?”
“Working life is brutal!”
“Good thing it's your day off.”
Yoo Chae-eun was now a full-fledged patrol officer, looking healthier and more toned.
Yoon Chan-rim and Woo Si-hyung, already there having fun, welcomed them too.
“Come quick. I unpacked the groceries.”
As Kang Hyun and Yoon Haneul sat, a feast for the eyes appeared: salmon salad, chicken, pasta, pies, and more. With Yoon Haneul's signature sandwiches and some mood-setting wine, the spread was abundant.
“Here, wine glasses.”
“You brought glasses too?”
“Yeah. Let's take pics.”
“Hold on. Got it. Smile.”
Click, click.
After multiple photos, the friends clinked glasses all around.
Kids laughed and ran circles around them; pretty soap bubbles occasionally sparkled in the sunlight with rainbow hues.
“Cheers!”
“Congrats!”
“Woo!”
The wine and drinks sloshed, gleaming in their glasses, as the group's conversation deepened on the mat.
“Winning for real—I still can't believe it.”
“Right? Unreal.”
“You guys were all over the news, especially you, Kang Hyun oppa.”
“Saw the posts?”
“...”
Kang Hyun listened silently to his friends' praise, feeling bashful.
Sure, he sometimes felt his popularity sink in, but with them, he just wanted to be one of the college kids.
But as expected.
Passersby recognized the group, stealing glances, some even asking for handshakes.
“Um… could we get a photo?”
“Oh, sure.”
Click!
Photo and autograph requests used to happen mostly on campus, but now they popped up on streets and public spots too.
Kang Hyun's status had surpassed imagination.
In a way, his fame rivaled celebrities'—making their break anything but leisurely.
“Huh? Look at this.”
“What?”
“Posting without permission invades portrait rights.”
Yoo Chae-eun shoved her phone with SNS open at them.
People were posting real-time about Kang Hyun hanging out at Banpo Han River Park.
-Banpo Han River Park sighting: Kang Hyun.
Posts brimmed with awe and surprise—not just from them, but Kang Hyun too.
“Oppa, you mad?”
“Huh? Why?”
“They're posting your pics without asking!”
“Nah, it's fine. I'm just… amazed.”
“Jeez, so shy at times like this.”
Kang Hyun scratched his head at Yoo Chae-eun's words.
No other thoughts crossed his mind.
He was simply proud of all he'd achieved, attained, gained.
That people cheered him on and recognized him—that alone felt astonishing and grateful.
The feeling of being someone who could stand tall anywhere, shining in any room.
That was enough.
Tweet tweet tweet.
As they savored the peaceful time.
Hours passed; the fun afternoon waned as the sun began dipping low.
“Instant noodles?”
“Yeah. I'll grab some food.”
Leaving Woo Si-hyung napping and Yoon Chan-rim and Yoo Chae-eun deep in debate, Kang Hyun and Yoon Haneul stood to fetch snacks.
For the pair, being together was now routine.
Clomp clomp, they strolled leisurely, chatting away on a long walk.
Then something caught her eye.
“Let's get that.”
She pointed at cotton candy.
A cute bear-shaped one, perfect for her sweet tooth.
“Hold on.”
Her babyish cute expression made Kang Hyun dash to the stand, buy it, and place it in her hand.
“Thanks.”
Munching the soft, sweet fluff, she suddenly grinned to herself, as if remembering something.
“Why?”
“Nothing.”
“Come on, now I'm curious.”
“…Hee.”
“…?”
“Look.”
Her impish grin was a first, leaving him a bit flustered, but when she showed him her phone, he instantly got it—bursting into laughter with a small yelp.
It was another article about their previous pictorial.
“Eek! Embarrassing.”
“They keep popping up.”
“Yeah. Still feels awkward.”
Their pictorial had become a hot topic, so Yoon Haneul always checked related articles meticulously.
“I like it though.”
Some comments hinted they were dating; all agreed they suited each other perfectly. She seemed pleased.
They walked side by side, chatting happily.
Then Yoon Haneul spoke up.
“Thanks.”
“For what?”
“For telling me to go for what I like. That's why I accepted the ‘Magazine J’ sponsorship pictorial offer. If this goes well, I might actually try working in this field.”
She'd clearly thought a lot before accepting the modeling gig.
In a year, she'd armed herself with even more beauty. Despite insane study loads, she never skipped workouts, lived regularly, and her natural gifts helped.
Passersby often mistook her for a celebrity.
Though deciding hadn't been easy, once resolved, things progressed smoothly.
It was her decision that made it happen. Yet she thanked Kang Hyun.
He mumbled shyly.
“You… deserve it.”
She blinked her big eyes, scanning him.
Her gaze alone made his heart pound; he hunched slightly to hide it.
Then suddenly.
“Whoa, watch out!”
Ring! Whoosh!
A bike barreled blindly between them. Kang Hyun yanked her into his arms; it barely missed.
“…You okay?”
“...”
Somehow, they'd ended up embracing.
What was this feeling?
Holding each other felt fluffy and warm.
For a moment longer than needed, they clung until they finally pulled apart.
Pop.
“...”
Yoon Haneul and Kang Hyun.
Both faces flushed beet red.
She gazed at him.
After hesitating, her lips parted.
“I… ”
Then, from Yoon Haneul's mouth came a tiny whisper, barely audible.
“I like you.”